Partial thickness supraspinatus tears: Diagnosis by magnetic resonance arthrography

Two patients, with clinical symptoms of advanced impingement syndrome, presented for radiologic evaluation. The magnetic resonance (MR) images of each patient were interpreted as representing a full thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon. Magnetic resonance arthrography was performed on both patients to further determine the extent of the tear. Using this technique, both patients were diagnosed correctly as having partial thickness tears; one on the articular surface and the other on the bursal surface of the tendon. This information is useful in surgical planning and in patient outeome.     

低场强MRI对于颅内转移瘤诊断价值的分析

目的:评价探讨低场强磁共振检查在脑转移瘤中的诊断价值。方法:用0.3 T开放型磁共振成像系统对30例脑转移瘤患者的磁共振平扫、水抑制(FIR)和增强扫描-采用静脉快速推注顺磁性造影剂Gd-DTPA(0.2 ml/kg)结果进行分析。结果:30例中单发病灶8例,多发22例,平扫发现48个病灶,FIR发现72例,增强扫描发现96个病灶,65个病灶直径大于3 cm;发现最小病灶直径3 mm;伴发空洞54例。增强扫描发现平均每个病人有3.2个病灶。结论:MRI是脑转移瘤不可缺少的检查方法,低场强磁共振检查既可准确发现微小和特殊部位的转移灶,又可得到病灶的边缘形态和内部情况以便于治疗方案的确定。     

Salvage definitive chemo‐radiotherapy for locally recurrent oesophageal carcinoma after primary surgery: Retrospective review

To determine the overall survival and gastrointestinal toxicity for patients treated with salvage definitive chemo‐radiotherapy after primary surgery for locoregional relapse of oesophageal carcinoma. A retrospective review of 525 patients who had a resection for oesophageal or oesophagogastric carcinoma at Princess Alexandra Hospital identified 14 patients treated with salvage definitive radiotherapy or chemo‐radiotherapy, following localized recurrence of their disease. We analysed the patient and treatment characteristics to determine the median overall survival as the primary end point. Gastrointestinal toxicity was examined to determine if increased toxicity occurred when the stomach was irradiated within the intrathoracic radiotherapy field. The median overall survival for patients treated with curative intent using salvage definitive chemo‐radiotherapy was 16 months and the 2‐year overall survival is 21%. One patient is in clinical remission more than 5 years after therapy. Age <60 years old and nodal recurrence were favourable prognostic factors. Treatment compliance was 93% with only one patient unable to complete the intended schedule. Fourteen per cent of patients experienced grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal toxicity. Salvage definitive chemo‐radiotherapy should be considered for good performance status patients with oesophageal carcinoma who have a locoregional relapse after primary surgery. The schedule is tolerable with low toxicity and an acceptable median survival.